Yasiel Puig benched in Dodgers’ win

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28: Right fielder Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers stands for the national anthem before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium on June 28, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The rookie right fielder was removed in favor of veteran Skip Schumaker after going 0 for 1 with a walk and making a pair of catches. Mattingly said the decision wasn’t based on anything Puig did off the field, only that Schumaker “gave us the best chance to win.”

After meeting with Mattingly and general manager Ned Colletti after the game, Puig agreed with Mattingly’s assessment.

“It’s true that there were some pitches that I wasn’t prepared for,” Puig said through an interpreter, referring to his preparation on defense. “I’m just going to come back and make sure to give it 100 percent.”

Mattingly didn’t criticize Puig for his play in the first inning, going into second base standing up rather than sliding when Carl Crawford hit a ground ball to second base, which resulted in a 4-6-3 double play for the Cubs. Puig also made a pair of one-handed “snatch” catches in right field, though he’s been making those regularly in his rookie season.

“I played with Rickey Henderson. He made those all the time,” Mattingly said. “I don’t mind as long as he doesn’t drop them.”

But the manager ducked a question about Puig hustling out to right field between innings.

“I don’t need to go into what I see,” Mattingly said.

Puig was benched earlier this month for arriving late to a game in Miami, though Mattingly said that was a scheduled day off for Puig.

After being removed Wednesday, Puig remained in the dugout and appeared calm throughout.

“I wanted to finish the game of course,” Puig said, “but when it was explained why (he was removed) I agreed with the explanation. I understood that my teammate could also give 100 percent and do a good job as well.”

The Dodgers don’t play Thursday. Mattingly said he expects Puig will be in the lineup when the Dodgers host the San Diego Padres on Friday.

Puig is batting .346 this season and entered play with multiple hits in his last two games.